The Office of Conflict Prevention and Resolution (formerly the Office of Dispute Resolution) provides assistance throughout the Department and to its contractors on using various types of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to prevent and resolve disputes without litigation.

The Director of the office offers training, provides system design support, and acts as a consultant for all types of dispute resolution, ranging from preventive techniques, such as partnering, differing professional opinion processes and ombuds, to mediation in many types of disputes, such as intellectual property, contracts, environmental, grants, equal employment opportunity (Title VII), and whistleblower complaints.

Several Departmental ADR programs include:

• Headquarters Mediation Program for Workplace Conflicts
• Environmental Disputes
• Field Office Programs for Workplace Disputes
• Contract Disputes
• Contractor Legal Management
• Technology Transfer Ombuds

Secretarial Memorandum